Original sin: How to teach your children about the doctrine of original sin (without punishment or force)

The doctrine of original sin is one of the most misused of Christian doctrines. Yet, original sin is the backbone of Christianity, as without original sin, there would be no need for a Christ. Yet, Christ died and Rose on the Third Day for our sins. So, there has to be some sin in all of us.

Mankind is a fallen species. All human beings are depraved and decadent sinners, deserving of nothing but non-existence. God hates us as human beings for our very existence, in an insignificant form of hatred. God hates us as human beings largely for our peacekeeping past. We are peacekeeping animals as human beings, with mankind being a bunch of glorified apes. Children, in peacekeeping times, bore the brunt of mankind's sexual wrath. See also Rom. 3:9-12.

Children, at some point, should learn the doctrine of original sin. Children, like all of us, are sinful creatures. However, calling a child a "sinner" is an unacceptable way of dealing with the sin nature in your child. Children will eventually realize that they are sinners on their own.

The best way to teach the doctrine of original sin is through the doctrine of mutual submission. See Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to their children, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also Matt. 22:35-40. 

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. Parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to here, in this context, modeling and encouraging Christian discipline in children. The Christian standard of discipline is deserving of absolutely nothing, therefore grateful for absolutely everything, coming from a sinful nature, leading to a chastened up example for children to follow. Christian parents in the Early Church centered their entitlement in view of their children. Children, in biblical times, were caught being good, as opposed to being caught being bad. Whenever children were caught showing good traits - such as sharing, being patient, or showing self-control - they were lavishly praised and encouraged with statements such as "keep headed down the straight path". Boys were given manly praise when caught being good by fathers, whereas girls were given a kiss to the forehead when caught being good by fathers. Children also need religious instruction. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia), which refers to the instruction of the Lord. Religious instruction started out by fathers leaving out an Aramaic copy of the Hebrew Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught reading the Bible, fathers were quick to praise and encourage children with statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, religious instruction came in the form of question and answer, based on what children saw in the text. Children were eager to learn the facts of life, and fathers were quick to give pointers on the context. Religious development is a part of child development, as religion is a human need for both children and adults alike. Young children, usually around age 6, start out with simplistic religious beliefs non-conforming to any religious denomination or sect. But, as children get older, they start to gradually conform to a specific religious denomination or sect. It may not be the religion of your choice, but at least they have values.

Original sin is something that comes up automatically when children are exploring Christian doctrine. Most children ask, at some point, "why did they have to kill Jesus?". The proper way to explain the reason for a Christ is "we all are sinners, and so we needed Christ to sacrifice for our sins, so that we can be forgiven". From there, children get the message that all human beings are sinners, thus we are born in original sin. If the child feels distressed by learning that all mankind are sinners, reassure them with a statement along the lines of "I'm here to listen". A child is a struggling sinner, not a defiant sinner. When children successfully show good traits, and keep it together, praise and encourage them to keep doing the good work.

What motivates children to hear out the instruction of their fathers? Why not start out with a secure attachment with mothers? During the first 6 years of childhood in the Early Church, mothers were in constant closeness to children, meaning wherever the mother went, so did the child. For the first 2 years of childhood, children were constantly held by mothers, either in her loving arms, or else in a papoose bag on her back when mom's hands were full. Between ages 2-6, children ranged next to mothers, following her from room to room, not allowing mom out of their line of sight, morbidly fearing that mom would "go away and never come back". Whenever children cried, mothers cooed at children before responding to their cries. From there, mothers diagnosed the need based off of the type of cry. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. When mothers were out and about with children - younger than age 6 - the child was wrapped up next to the bosom of mothers in swaddling blankets, with the swaddling blankets - and the child with it - being tucked underneath the mother's loose-fitting, revealing dress that resembled an apron. Come nightfall, children co-slept next to mothers in skin-on-skin format, with this co-sleeping lasting until the onset of puberty, when children wanted their own place to sleep. Children went naked wherever they went, with mothers being naked within the confines of the family home. This setup of birth nudity facilitated easy skin-on-skin warmth and sustenance. 

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath though punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!